Gang-plow.



No. 865,825'. PATENTPD SEPT. 10.1907. A. THOMPSON G G. P. LABERPB.

- GANG PLGW.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23. 1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.'

ATTORNEYS W/TNESSES No. 865,825. PATPNTPO sPPT. lO, 1907.V A. THOMPSON G G. P. LABERPE.

GANG PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 23, '1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 365,825. PATENTED SEPT. 1o, 190% A; THOMPSON a; G. P. LABERBE.

GANG PLW.

' APPLICATION FILED MAB. 2a. 1907.

A TTOHNE YS 1H: NoRm.; PETERS ca., wAsmNcroN, uA cv No. 865,825. l PATENTED SEPT. 1o, 1967. zag-THOMPSON & G. P.. LABEREE.

GANG PLOW.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 23, 1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

911102Z 27mm S027/ George QZ/a @ree AWMF@ A TTOHNEYS 1H: NoRRrs PETERS co wAsHlNcroN. nv c.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OEEIOE.

- AMON THOMPSON AND GEORGE P. LABEREE, OF SALEM, OREGON,

GANG-PLOW.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 10, 1907.

Application filer March 23,1907. Serial No. 364,103.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, AMON THOMPSON and GEORGE P. LABEREE, both citizens of the United States, and residents of Salem, in the county of Marion and State of Oregon, have invented a new and Improved Gang- Plow, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to gang plows and is particularly useful in connection with devices of this character drawn by means of traction engines and the like.

The Object of the invention is to provide a gang plow having a plurality of plow shares for the purpose of plowing a number of furrows simultaneously, and having means for automatically raising the plows from contact with the ground when necessary.

A further object of the invention is to provide special steering means whereby the device possesses added facility of operation in guiding it when in use.

A still further Object of the inventionl is to provide in a gang plow, a traction member and a trailer carrying the plows, the traction member and the trailer being provided with independent guide-wheels adapted to be simultaneously controlled.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts to be more fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in the claims.

.Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of our invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of our invention; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of certain of the operative parts showing their proper correlation; Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of a detail; and Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the same detail.

Before proceeding to a more detailed explanation of our invention, it should be understood that it is customary, at the present time, to use gang plows drawn by traction engines operated by steam, gasolene or the like, which are adapted for cutting a plurality of furrows according to the number of plow shares with which they are provided. Furthermore, it is usual so to arrange these plow shares that they may be raised, lowered, or otherwise adjusted, as the necessity of operation dictates.

In our device each plow share is rigidly mounted upon an independent plow beam which is pivoted to swing in a substantially vertical plane independent of the remaining plow shares. These are all flexibly secured to a commonlifting beam which is adapted to be automatically elevated from the traction member, while at the same time the flexible method of securing `the plo'w beams permits independent movements of the separate plow shares due to irregularities and the like in the ground.

To facilitate the handling ofpoui gang plow the traction member is provided with guide-wheels controlled by the usual means. At the same time the trailer is provided with a trailer-wheel adapted to assist. in governingr the direction of its movements, and this trailerwheel is adapted to be simultaneously controlled with the guide-wheels of the traction member.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the traction member A may consist of the ordinary steam traction engine in general use for similar purposes, or may consist of a special motor driven by an internal combustion engine or by any other means. Preferably the traction member is of the usual steam type, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and comprises a horizontal boiler l carried by a pair of driving-wheels 2 and a pair of guide-wheels 3.

Mounted upon the boiler is a cylinder 4 of ordinary construction and operating a driving-shaft 5 through a piston, connecting-rod and crank. The driving-shaft 5 actuates the driving-wheels 2 through a series of gears 6, 7 and 8.

At the rear of the boiler is a platform 9V for the operator. At the end of the platform 9 is a transverse beam 10 having hinge extensions 11 to which are pivoted similar hinge extensions l2 by means of hinge pins 13. The hinge extensions 12 are rigid with the trailer frame of a trailer B. The trailer B is preferably in the form of a right-triangle with one leg mounted adjacent to the transverse beam 10 of the traction member, the side corresponding to the hypotenuse carrying the plow shares, as will appear hereinafter. The framework may be of any suitable material, such as iron or wood, and is suitably braced by cross pieces 15, 16 and 17,

Rigidly secured to the sides 14 and 18 of the trailer frame is a wheel bracket 19 having a vertical socket 20. Within the socket 20 is pivotally mounteda pin 21 carrying at its lower extremity a fork 22 between the arms of which is rotatably mounted a trailer-wheel 23, as is shown most clearly in Fig. 3.

Projecting laterally from the fork 22 are guide arms 23 by means of which the trailer-wheel may be turned about a substantially vertical axisto assist in guiding the trailer7 as will appear more clearly hereinafter.

The guide-wheels 3 of the traction member A are .mounted inthe usual manner upon an axle 28 adapted to be pvoted about a substantially vertical axis to guide the traction member.

Rotatably secured to the under side of the boiler 1 is a transverse shaft 25 having at one extremity a gear wheel 26. A flexible member 27, such asa cord or a chain, is wound about the shaft 25 and has its ends secured respectively near opposite ends of the axle 28 of the guide wheels. Thus, as the shaft 25 is turned, one end of the flexible member 27 is shortened and the other end is lengthened, thereby rotating the guide wheels about a vertical axis. Near the shaft 25 is a second similar shalt 29 having a similar gear wheel 30 l at an end.

A steering shalt 3l. is rotatably mounted at the side ol the boiler' carrying at an end adjacent to the plat- 'lorrn 9 a lrand-wlreel 32, and having at its opposite end a worm-wheel 33 in mesh with both of the gear wheels 2G and 30, whereby both the shalts 25 and 29 can be simultaneously operated by the movement ol the shalt 31 controlled by the operator on the platlorm 9 through the hand-wheel 32.

The transverse beam l() has bearing brackets 34 extending tlrerebelow, within which is rotatably mounted a shalt 35. The side ol the trailer lrame adjacent to the beam l0 has similar bearing brackets 36' within which is rotatably mounted a similar shalt 37. Gonnecting' the shalts 35 and 37 is a third shalt 38 secured to the other shalts by means ol universal joints 39 and 40. lt will be understood that owing to irregularities ol the ground, or lor other reasons,v the trailer lrame would swing up or down about its hinge connection with the traction member, and that consequently the relative positions ol the shalts 35 and 37 would be constantly changing. By means ol this flexible connection between said shalts, the lreedom ol relative movement of the trailer and the traction member is in no way inliueneed or hampered, while a movement ol the shalt 36 upon the traction member A is lreely transmitted to the shalt 37 upon the trailer B.

An endless flexible member 4l, such as a cord or chain, is wound about the shalt 35 passing over a guide roller 42 having guide grooves 43, to the shalt 29 about which it is wound in the reverse direction, as appears most clearly in Fig. 3. (,onsequently the revolution ol the shalt 29 in one direction or the other is transmitted to the shalt 35 which moves in a similar direction, and in turn transmits its movement to the shalt 37. lYound about the shalt 37 is a flexible member 44 having its ends respectively secured to opposite en ds ol' the arms 24 ol the trailer wheel 23, whereby the revolution ol the shalt; 37 is transmitted to the trailer wheel as a nrovemerrt ol rotation ol the same about a vertical axis, whereby the trailer member is guided in one direction or the other'. The arrangement ol the shalts and flexible members is such that as the guide wheels ol the traction member are turned in one direction, the trailer wheel is turned in a similar direction, whereby as will be clearly understood, the guiding ol the entire device is greatly simplified and assisted.

The side i8 ol the trailer trame, corresponding to the hypotenuse ol a right-angle triangle, is provided with a plurality ol sockets 45 rigid with the side 18. The sockets 45 are provided with a plurality el openings -it7 in the sides 48 thereol. Between the sides 4S are pivoted the plow beams 49, by means ol pivot pins located in the openings 47. ly thus having a plurality ol openings 47, it is possible to adjust the pivoting points ol the plow beams as desired. lhe plow beams 49 have their ends curved downward and backward, as is shown most clearly in Fig. Il. Secured to the curved ends in the usual manner by riveting or in any other suitable way are the plow shares 50. The trailer lrame carries upon its upper side, brackets 5l and 52 having grooved guide-wheels 53 and 54 at their ripper ends over which pass flexible members 55 and 5G, comprising cords, chains or the like. The flexible members carry a lilting beam 57 substantially parallel with the side 'ls or' the trailer' lrame and lree to move in an upward or downward direction. lhe lifting beam 57 is provided with a plurality ol chains 5S which are secured at. their lower' ends to the plow beams 49 whereby` as the lilting beam 57 is raised, all the plow beams are siinilarl) elevated.

llotatably mounted upon the traction member adiacent and parallel to the driving-shalt 5 is a second shalt 59 having near one end a lriction disk (il in same rel-.ttive position as the Vl'riction disk (50 on the driving shalt 5. livotally mounted in a bracket (l2 is a hand lever G3 carrying, at one end, a rotatable lrie `ion pulleY t-l adapted to engage with both lrictitm disks (Sl) and ol to transmit the revolution ol the driving shalt 5 to the second shalt 59. Slidably mounted in a lateral extension G5 ol the hand lever (i3 is a spring pin (it having a head G7, and between the head G7 and the extension (S5 a helical spring (38 adapted normally to lorce the spring pin downward lrom the. lever til-l. to the side ol the hand lever ('53, and has an ollset Tl) engaging with the under side ol a shoulder 7l lormed :it the upper end el the spring pin (i6 wherebxv the spring pin may be lore-rd upward through the extension o5 when the arm (S9 is lorced downward against the tension ol the spring (SS. ',llre ends ol the shalt 59 extend laterally beyond the bearings in which it is mountrd and have wound upon them respectively the ends ol the flexible niernbers 55 and 56, lt will be understood that il the shalt 59 is turned, the flexible members are correspondingly wound or unwound thereupon, either raising or lowering the plows on the trailer through the lilting beam 57, the flexible members passing under the trailer l'rame and the traction member over suitable grooved guide-wheels 72 and 73.

Seeuri d to the traction member' near the shalt 59 is a vertical bearing 74 carrying a pivot pin 75 to which is secured a block 7G adapted to be rotated in a hori'fiont-.tl plane. gral rack section 77 adapted to engage with a wormwheel 78 upon the shalt 59, whereby, as the sha lt is revolved, the block 7o is rotated in a substantially horizontal plaire. adapted to receive the head 67 ol the spring pin ott Then the head ol the pin rests normally in the groove 79, the lriction pulley (i4 is in engagement with the lriction disks t3() and (il whereby the revolution ol the driving shalts is transmitttd to the second shalt 59. '.lhe movement ol the second shalt 59 turns the block 7G about the pivot pin 75, the head (S7 ol the pin titl sliding in the groove 79 until a recess 80, lormed in the side ol the block 76, is reached, whereupon the pin tlt slips into this recess and allows the pulley (S4 to pivot out ol contact with the lriction disk (Si). When this occurs the movement ol the shalt 59 naturally ceases. The arrangement is such that the revolution ol the shalt 59, when actuated by the driving shalt 5 through the trietion pulley (S4, winds the flexible members upon the shalt 59 thereby raising the plows, the plows being clear o'l the ground when the recess 80 advances sullicient I v to permit the pin 66 to slip therethrough to release the pulley 64 lrom engagement with the disk (ll).

An arm (S9 is pivoied At its under side the block 7G carries an intel`he block 76 has a curved groove T9 l'pon the shalt 59 is a ratchet 8l with which engages a pawl S2 which holds the shalt 59 in a fixed position to prevent the weight ol the plows from unwinding the flexible lli members from the shaft when it is no longer driven by the pulley 64. However, when it is desired to place the plows again in Contact with the ground, the hand lever 63 is raised and the pawl 82 removed from engagement with the ratchet 81 whereupon the weight of the plows themselves pulling upon the flexible members 55 and 56 unwinds the same from the shalt 59 and the plows return to the ground. The reverse revolution of the shaft 59 rotates the block 76 in the reverse direction, the groove 79 passing rrnder the pin 6G and therebeyond. When it is again desired to raise the plows, the lever 63 is raised, its weight tending normally to keep the friction pulley clear of the friction disk 60 until the pulley 64 again engages the disk 60, whereupon the shaft 59is actuated to wind up the flexible members.

Having thus described our invention, we .claim`as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. In a gang plow, in combination, a traction member having a guide-wheel, a trailer' lring'ed to said traction member, said trailer having a trailer-wheel, and means for simultaneously rotating said wheels about a substan tially vertical axis to change the dir'ection of travel of the plow.

2. In a gang plow, in combination, a tr'action member having a guidowheel, a trailer secured to said traction member and free to swing in a dir'ection substantiall)v per'pendicrrlar' to the ground, said trailer having a trailerwheel, and means for simultaneously rotating said wheels' about a substantially ver'tical axis to change the direction of travel of the plow.

In a gang plow, in combination, a tr'action member having guide-wheels, a trailer having plows and a trailerwheel, means for raising said plows fr'orn contact with the ground` and means for simultaneously rotating said wheels about a substantially vertical axis to change the direction of travel of the plow.

4. In a gang plow, a traction member' having wheels` a trailer hinged t0 said member' and having plows and a trailer wheel, a shaft adapted to rotate said guidewheels about a substantially vertical axis. a second shaft adapted to rotate said trailer-wheel about a substantiallv vertical axis, and means for simultaneousl \Y controlling said shafts.

5. In a gang plow, a tr'action member having' guidewheels, a trailer hinged to said member and having plows and a tr'action wheel, a shaft adapted to rotate said grridewheels about a substantiall)v verncal axis. a second shaft adapted to rotate said trailer-wheel about a substantialhv vertical axis, and means common to said shafts for revolvY ing the same.

G. In a gang plow, a traction member having guidewheels', a tr'ailer' hinged to said member' and having a tr'ailer-wlreel, a shaft having a' Hcxible member' ,vound thereupon and adapted to rotate said guide-wheels about a substantially vertical axis when said shaft is actuated, a second shaft having a nexible member' wound thereupon and adapted to rotate said trailer-wheel about a substantially vertical axis when said second shaft is actuated. and means for simultaneously actuating said shafts.

" In a gang plow, a traction member having a trailer' guidel. hinged thereto and provided with plows and a trailer wheel, a flexible shaft morrntcd upon said tr'action member' and upon said trailer' and adapted to rotate said trailer'- wheel about a substantially vertical axis, and means for controlling said shaft from said traction member'.

8. In a gang plow, a traction member' havinga trailer hinged thereto and provided with plows anda trailer wheel, a shaft mounted upon said traction member', a second shaft mounted upon said tr'ailer', said shafts having a flexible connection and being adapted -to rotate said trailer-wheel about a substantially vertical axis, and means for controlling said'shafts from said traction member'.

9. In a gang plow, a traction member, a trailer hinged to said tr'action member' and having plows and a trailerwheel, a shaft mounted upon said tr'action member, a

second shaft mounted upon said trailer', a flexible connection between said shafts. and means for actuating said first shaft, said second shaft being adapted ro rotate said traileravhcel about a substantially vertical axis to change tue direction of travel of said trailer'.

lo. ln a gang plow, a traction member' having guidewheels. a trailer hinged to said member and having plows and "a trailer-wheel, a flexible shaft having an end mounted upon said traction member' and an end mounted upon said trailer' and adapted to rotate said trailer-wheel about a substantially vertical axis, a shaft adapted to rotate said guide-wheels about a substantially vertical axis, and means for simultaneously controlling said shafts.

1l. In a gang plow a traction member' having guide wheels, a trailer hinged to said member' and having plows and a trailer-wheel, a shaft mounted upon said member, a second shaft mounted upon said trailer', a universal lioint connection between said shafts, a flexible member' secured to said second shaft and said trailer-wheel and adapted to control said trailer-wheel through the revolution of said second shaft, and means for simultaneously controlling said shaft of said traction member' and said guide-wheels.

l2. In a gang plow. a traction member' having guidewheels, a trailer hinged to said member' and having plowsa bracket upon said tr'ailer' having a vertical socket, a pin in said socket having a fork and lateral arms, a trailer'` wheel pivotally mounted within said fork, a shaft mounted upon said member', a second shaft. mounted upon said trailer, a universal joint connection between said shafts, a flexible member' having the ends secured to said arms and wound about said second shaft, and means for' simultaneousl5v controlling said shaft of said tr'action member' and said guide-wheels.

In a gang plow, a traction member' having guide wheels. a trailer hinged tosaid member' and having plows and a trailer-wheel` a shaft mounted upon said member' and having a gear' wheel, a second shaft mounted upon said member' and having a gear wheel, a wor'm in engage ment with said gear' wheels and adapted to be manually operated` and a flexible shaft mounted upon said member' and upon said trailer and adapted to contr'ol said trailer'- whecl, said first shaft being adapted to control said guidewheels, said second shaft being adapted to control said flexible shaft.

14. In a gang plow. a traction member' having guidewheels, a trailer' hinged to said member and having plows and a tr"ailer'-wheel, a flexible shaft having an end mounted upon said member' and an end mounted upon said trailer', a flexible member' .secured to said flexible shaft near the end mounted upon said trailer and to said trailer-wheel and adapted to control said trailer-wheel by the revolution of said flexible shaft, a shaft mounted upon said member' and having a gear' wheel` a second shaft mounted upon said member' and having a gear wheel, a wor'rn in engagement with said gear' wheels and adapted to be manually operated, a second flexible member secured to one of said shafts and to said guide-wheels to control the same, and a further flexible member' secured to said Second shaft and to said flexible shaft to control the latter'.

l5. In a gang plow. a traction member' having guidewheels, a trailer' hinged to said member' and having plows, a flexible shaft having an end mounted upon said member and an end mounted upon said tr'ailer', said trailer' having a bracket provided vwith a socket, a vertical pin in said socket having a fork and arms. a trailer-wheel rotatably mounted in said fork. a flexible member' secured to said flexible shaft near the end mounted upon said trailer', and to said arms to control said trailer-wheel, a shaft mounted upon said member and having a gear wlreel, a second shaft mounted upon said member' and having a gear' wheel, a worm in engagement with said gear wheel and adapted to be manually operated, a second flexible member' secured to said shaft of said member' and said guide-wheels to control the same, and a further flexible member' secur'ed to said second shaft and to said fiexible shaft at the end mounted upon said member' to control said second shaft.

1G. In a wheels and ing-wheels, means for gang plow. a traction member having guidedriving-wheels, actuating means for said driva trailer' having plows and a trailer-wheel, simultaneously controlling said guide-wheels and said trailer-Wheels, and means operated by said actuating' means of said traction member for raising said plows from contact with the ground.

1T. In a gang plow, a traction member having gnidewheels and driving-wheels, actuating means for said driv ing-wheels, a trailer hinged to said member and having adjustable plows and a trailer-wheel, means for simultaneously controlling said guide-wheels and said trailer-wheels, a shaft having a flexible member wound thereupon and controlling said plows. said flexible member being adapted to raise the plows from Contact with the ground through the revolution of said shaft, and means for revolving said shaft through said actuating means of said traction member.

1S. In a gang plow, a traction member having guidewheels and driving-wheels, a trailer hinged to said traction member and having plows adjustable in4 a subst-an tially vertical plane, and a trailer wheel, actuating means for said driving-wheels, a shaft having a flexible member wound thereupon and adapted to adjust said plows through the revolution of said shaft, means for holding said shaft in a fixed position, a flexible shaft mounted upon said traction member and upon said trailer, and adapted to control said traileravheel, and means for simultaneously controlling said flexible shaft and said guide wheels.

19. In a gang plow, a traction member having drivingl means including a driving-shaft, a trailer secured to said member, said trailer having pivoted plows adjustable in a substantially vertical plane, and means for flexibly holding said plows, said holdingl means being adjustably controlled through said driving shaft.

20. In a gang plow, a traction member having driving means, a trailer secured to said member, said trailer hav' ing a plurality of vertically adjustable plows, and a com- Inon support adapted flexibly to hold said plows, said support being adjustably controlled through said driving means.

2l. In a gang plow, a traction member havingl a driving shaft, a trailer secured to said member and having adjustable plows, and means for adjusting said plows, said means being operated from said drivingl shaft of said traction member.

22. In a gang plow, a traction member having a driving shaft, a trailer secured to said member and having plows adjustable in a substantially vertical direction, means op erated from said driving shaft for raising said plows, and means for holdingl said plow in a raised position.

23. In a gang plow, a traction member havingl a driving shaft, a trailer secured to Said member and having adjustable plows, a second shaft having means for adjusting said plows, means for holdingl said second shaft in a fixed position, and removable means for actuating said second shaft from said driving shaft.

24. In a gang plow, a traction member having a driving shaft and a second shaft, means for operatively connecting said shafts, a trailer hinged to said member and having plows pivoted thereto, and a fiexible member secured to said plows and to said second shaft and adapted to control said plows through the movement of said second shaft.

In a gang plow, a traction member having' a driving shaft and a second shaft, means for operatively connecting said shafts, a trailer hinged to said member and having' plows pivoted thereto to swing in a substantially vertical plane, a flexible member secured to said plows and said second shaft and adapted to control said plows through the revolution of said second shaft, and mean's for holding said second shaft: in a fixed poistion.

In a gang plow, a traction member having a driving shaft provided with a friction disk. and a second shaft pi'ovidcd with a friction disk, a friction pulley adapted to be removably placed in contact with said disks, a lrailcr secured to said member and having adjustable plows. and means for controlling said plows through the revolution of said second shaft.

2T. In a gang plow, a traction member having a drivingl shaft provided with a fr ion disk, and a second shaft provided with a friction disk, a friction pulley adapted to be removably placed in contact with said disks, means for holding said pulley in engagement with said disks, means for holding' said second shaft in a fixed position. a trailer secured to said member and having adjustable plows, and a flexible member secured to said second shaft and to said plows and adapted to adjust said plows through the revoA lution of said second shaft.

2S. In a gang plow, a traction member having a driving shaft provided with a fr ,tion disk and a second sha ft provided with a friction disk a friction pulley adapted to be removably placed in contact with said dis a trailer secured to said member and having plows pivoted thereto to swing in a vertical plane, means for raising said plows through the revolution of said second shaft, means for autoimitically releasing said pulley when said plows is raised, and means for holding said second shaft in a fixed position.

2D. In a gang plow, a traction member having a driving shaft provided with a friction disk, and a second shaft, pro vided with a friction disk, a ratchet, and a worm. a lever pivoted to said member and having a friction pulley adapted to be removably placed in contact with said disks` a pivoted block having a rack in engagement with said worm and adapted to hold said lever with said pulley in eng n ment with said disks, said block being adapted lo be pivoted out of engagement with said lever through the revolution of said second shaft, a trailer secured to said member and having adjustable plows, means for adjusting said plows through the revolution of said second shaft, and a pawl adapted to engage with said ratchet to prevent said second shaft from revolving in one direction.

30. In a gang plow, a traction member having a driving shaft provided with a friction disk, and a second shaft provided with a friction disk, a ratchet, a worm, a level' piv oted to said member and having a friction pulley adapted to engage said friction disks, and a slidable pin` a block pivoted to said member and having a rack adapted to :n gage said worm, a groove adapted to receive said pin and a recess, said block being adapted to engage said pin to hold said lever with said pulley in engagement with said disks, said block being actuated by said second shaft io swingl said recess under said pin whereby said pulley is disengaged from said disks, a pawl adapted to engage with said ratchet to prevent the revolution of said second shaft in one direction, a trailer secured to said member and hav ing adjustable plows, and a flexible member secured to said plows and to said second shaft and adapted to control said plows through the revolution of said second shaft.

ln testimony whereof we have signed our names lo this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses AMON THOMPSON. GEORGE l. fmII-ERICE.

Witnesses to signature of Amon '.lhompson .Tanns )L ltnnvns, WILLIAM InNnAN. Witnesses to (leo. i. Laberee's siglniture:

F. (i. Lannion-1.

I. L. Fnxznm. 

